Transmission drive mechanism



July 14 1953 1'. R. SMITH TRANSMISSION DRIVE MECHNISM 4 Sheets-Sheet lOriginal Filed Dec. 20, 1948 0 o @z w d Ww M M U Z w w .I J J ..6 u w.AS :AA l/IIAWMM/ w mm w July 14, 1953 T. R. SMITH 2,645,318

TRANSMISSION DRIVE MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet2 66 VMI @2 f Wn I g y l o .fg/ij i 4/5 O 4,34 INVENToR. l UFZdZ 5m@@Mr/M,

July 14, 1953 T. R. sMlTH 2,645,318

TRANSMISSION DRIVE MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 20, 1948 4 4Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

July 14, 1953v T. R. sMiTH TRANSMISSION DRIVE' MECHANISM original Filednec; 2o, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

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TRANSMISSION DRIVE MECHANISM Thomas It. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignorrtoThe Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware originalapplicati@ December zo, 194s, serial No. 66,230. Divided and thisapplication November 17, 1950, Serial No. 196,291. In Canada December 1,1949 A g 6 Claims.

This invention relates to transmission drive mechanism. The presentapplication is a division of the parent application Serial No. 66,230,filed December 20, 1948. In the parent application the transmissiondrive mechanism including clutch mechanism is disclosed and claimed invconnection with a washing machine but its use extends generally toshafts which are adapted to be operatively connected and disconnected inpower transmission mechanism.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable andefficient transmission drive mechanism wherein the relatively few partscooperate in a simple and eifective manner and may be readily assembledand disassembled.

Another object is to provide novel clutch mechanism wherein inner andouter shafts may be connected and disconnected in a manner to meet allthe requirements for successful operation.

These and other objects are accomplished byV the mechanism shown in theaccompanying drawings in which Figure l isvan enlarged fragmentaryvertical cross-sectional view of driving mechanism of a washing machineincluding my improved clutch mechanism;

Figure 2 is a viewsimilar to Figure 1 taken in planes represented'bylines 2-2 in 3;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken in the planerepresented by line 3 3 of Figure 2 g Figure 4 is an enlarged verticalcross-sectional view of the control means for the clutch for theV,driving mechanism shown invFigures 1 and 2 of illustrated in connectionwith ybut not limited to a washing machine having an outer stationarytub 6 the central portion of the bottom wall 146 of which is formed witha centrally disposed crowned portion |50 having an opening |52.VExtending vertically through this opening [52 l shaped member I I'l.

the outer `shaft 200 is for driving or spinning an inner tub fordischarging water therefrom and extracting liquid from fabrics therein,as fully described in the parent application. The inner and outer shaftsand the mechanism carried thereby including the inner tub are ultimatelysupported by an arched cross-frame base member IIT.

More specifically the hollow outer shaft 200 terminates in a restrictedend portion 202 which provides a shoulder 204 mounted upon a radial andthrust. bearing 206 which is supported by the arched supporting `memberIl'l ofthe base structure. The radial and thrust bearing 206 comprisesan inner race ring 208 which engages shoulder 204 of the hollow shaft200 andan outer race ring 210 which is supported upon a dishshapedmember 2I2 substantially Z-shaped in cross-section; the Alower inwardlyextending annular flange 214 thereof engaging the outer race ring 2I0and the upper outwardly extending annular flange 2|,6 of which engagesand is exibly supported by the annular resilient bushing 2l8. Thevresilient bushing 2|8, which may be of rubber or the like, is supportedby the annular dish-shaped retaining member 220 which extends downwardlythrough opening H9 of the channel The member 220 is provided with alower inwardly disposed annular flange 222 upon which the bushing 2|8 ismounted and an upper outwardly extending annular flange 224 whichoverlaps the central web of the'channel shaped member I I'I and isrigidly secured Ithereto in any desired manner. In thisrway the shaftsand associated parts are all flexibly and solely supported at a pointnear the lower end of the outer shaft 200. Disposed within "the hollowshaft 200 is the inner drive shaft 236 journaled inthe outer shaftIthrough lbearing including a lower bearing 240 whichalign the innershaft with respect to the hollow `shaft vand permit ,the inner shaft `torotate relative drive pulley 300. f

are a hollow outer shaft 200 and an inner shaft 236 rotatably mountedwithin the hollow outer shaft 200. In this instance, the inner" shaft236 4.is `for driving a 4washing elementor agitator and operatingspeeds,

pointa motor of `relatively low rated capacity is In the washingmachinedisclosed inthe parent application where provisionis made forspinning or rotating the inner' tub for extracting washing liquid fromthe material contained therein, the starting torque Vrequired of `themotorl is much greater than the torque which is required at From an`economical 'standa clutch mechanism adapted to slip during the time whenthel motor is bringing theinner tub up to operating speed, but in whichno 'slipping is required after the operatingspeedof the inner tub isreached. Y v

The constant torque limiting clutch which forms the subject matter of acopending application filed in the name of Thomas iR.v Smith on the 27thday of October, 1948, and bearing Serial No. 56,845, now Patent No.2,604,764, issued July 21, 1952, comprises the pulley 306 which isdriven by the belt 296 and which will transmit torque to the inner shaft236 until the load on said shaft exceeds the maximum torque vfor vwhichthe clutch is designed. The pulley 300is'provided with a hub 316 havinga bearing or bushing 3|8 mounted therein which is rotatably mounted on ahub 324 of the driven member 322. This pulley is formed with thedownwardly extending and integral cylindrical wall 320 provided with aninner face forming a friction driving surface for the slip clutch. Thedriven member of the clutch is constituted'by a clutch drum 322 having.the hub 324 thereof splined,as at 326, to the lower end of the shaft236, the drum being held in operativelposition on the shaft 23B by thespring retaining ring 328. As will be noted, the clutch `drum 322'has awasher'329 embracing thecentral hub l324 thereof upon which the hub 316and its bushing 3l8 are mounted for positioning the pulley 360 withrespect to the driven member. The clutch drum 322 is provided with anintergrally 4 transmitted between the pulley 300 and the clutcli drum322 through the lining 338. This clutchI constructionV provides lforAthe delivery of constant torque to lthe shaft 23.6 which cannot beexceeded, whereby the shaft 236 can be brought gradually up to speed forthe spinning operation without causing damage to the motor because ofexcessive loads during the starting period. After the `inner tub orother load has been brought Yup tospeed, Athe torque requiredto'maintain this speed is less-than the rated capacity of the motor and,accordingly, no slippage takes place bev tween Vthe pulley v331'! andthe clutch drum 322.

-As willbe apparent from the above description, the `combined radial andthrust bearing 206 mounted on the reduced portion 262 of the outershaft-200 and engaging the annular shoulder 204 thereof not onlysupports the super-structure including 'the associatedfmechanisms butalso provides a support for the inner shaft 236 -as disclosed in theparent application and, accordingly, such radialand thrust bearingpositions and supports the pulley 306 and the constant torque slipclutch immediatelyabove described which eifects a driving connectionbetween -said pulley 360 and theshaft 236.

As Vparticularly referred to in the parent application, the presentinvention in one of its uses contemplates a structure inwhich materialwithin a washingtub issubjected to a washing operation through theIaction of an agitator and also subjectedto a centrifuging actionwhereby the said'material is spin dried upon-rotation of the tub. Inorder Ato rapidly rotate the inner tub suitable clutch mechanism isprovided for p' effecting Va ,driving relation "between kthe innerformed upstanding `wall 330 disposed inwardly of and in spaced relationto the cylindrical wall 320 of the pulley 360, the said wall having anVopening 332 provided therein. Disposed between the cylindrical walls 320`and 336 and supported upon lthe annular lange334 .of the .drumis dis-Yposed a clutch band 336 to which is secured a clutch `band lining v338adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the cylindrical wall320. Mounted upon the clutch drum 322 is a curved control spring 340provided with radially extending vends which extend through the opening332and are connected to the endsof the clutch band`336. As will beapparent, the spring 340 Yacts to expand the clutch band 336 whereby theclutch band lining v338 is moved into driv- `which carries the controlspring 340 to rotate a shortdistance until oneend of the control springcontacts onev edge of the wall 330 defining the opening 332, the edge ofthe wall 330 engaged by the control spring depending, of course. uponthe shaft 236 and the outer shaft 233. in the illustrative embodiment ofthe invention such clutch mechanism takes the form of a spring clutchAincluding an expanding type tapered spring clutch element 346 embracingthe shaft236 and being disposed `within the enlarged -hollow yportion348 of the outer hollow shaft 236.- The lower end of the spring clutchelement 346 is operatively connected to the shaft 236 and a pin 333 isprovided to prevent axial .movementof the spring. rEhe-upper actuatingend of the spring clutch kelement is arranged to be engaged by a key 352key 352 Vis disengaged fromthe upper operating' end of the spring clutchelement 3546. When the bell crank lever 356 is tripped, the clutchcollar 33d moves downwardly under the action Vof vgravity to positionthe key 352 inthe path of movement of the upper operating end of springclutch element VV346 whereby the said spring clutch element 'is expandedto frictionally engage the wall of enlarged recess 343 of the outerhollow shaft '206 at Vwhich time a driving connection is effectedbetween the shaftsV 260 vand 236 to rapidly rotate the inner tub.

direction of rotation of the-pulley 303. The clutch i Adrum 322 isl thencaused to rotate and drives the shaft 236, When the torque required torotate the shaft 233 exceeds the loading vof the spring 340 slippageVoccurs between the pulley 360 and the clutch drum 322. This slippageoccurs until such time as the Vtorque required torotate `the shaft 236is equal to or less than the torque'being The .bell crank `.lever 356 ispivoted, as at '358, to a bracket 360 connected by means ofv screws orrivets 362, or the like, toV a hollow sleeve 319 constituting .a part ofa damper mechanism 234 to which isseouredra brake shoe support .364forming anY element of brake mechanism 365, to be hereinafter more fullydescribed.

The clutch mechanism requires a minimum of space in the device and theassembly for the clutch -operating'means is such as to permit the sameto vbe rapidly and-easily assembled and disassembled. As disclosed moreparticularly in Figures 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the key 352 is ofT-formation and has its operating shank or extension movably mountedwithin the key-hole slot 366, the said key being restrained from turningmovement within the lower part of the slot 366, but the opening 368 atthe upper end is of such size as to permit the key 352 to be turned at90 to its normal operating position. The clutch collar 354 is providedwith an opening 310 having a lateral dimension adapted to permit radialmovement of the extensions 318 of the key 352 with respect to the collar354 when the shank orlextension thereof is disposed within the opening368 at 90 to its normal operative position. The opening 310 is definedat its upper and lower edges by the under-cut grooves 312 and 314 vwhichare adapted to receive the extensions 318, respectively, of the key toprevent lateral radial movement of the key 352 with respect to the shaft200. It is therefore apparent that when the opening 310 is aligned withthe opening 368 the key 352 may be disposed at 90 from its normaloperative position and either removed from or inserted into its engagingrelation with the clutch collar 354.

319 which surrounds and embraces the outer shaft 206 and has the journalbearings 384 and 386 mounted co-axially with and journaled on the hollowshaft 200 and providing anv annular space therebetween Within which thecollar 354 is axially movable. This hollow sleeve 319 is provided Aswill be noted, the damper` mechanism 234 is provided with a hollowsleeve with an opening 380 which may be aligned with the openings 368and 310 whereby the key 352 may be readily inserted into or removed fromits assembled position with respect to the collar 354. Threadedlymounted in the hollow sleeve 319 is a, screw 382 projecting inwardlyinto the path of movement of the clutch collar 354 to prevent upwardmovement thereof to such an extent that the shank of the key 352 enters`the opening 368, but which may be withdrawn sufliciently to permit thecollar 354 to be moved upwardly a suilicient amount to bring theopenings 368, 310 and 380 into alignment when it is desired to insert orremove the key 352.

1 The hollow sleeve 319 is formed with an outwardly extending sphericalshaped wall 388, reinforced by the oppositely disposed webs 390, and t0the upper surface of which friction material 394 is connected in anysuitable manner which frictionally engages or mates with a complementaryspherical surface formed on the under side of the central crownedportion |50 of the outer tub 6.

The brake shoe support'364, heretofore referred to generally, is formedwith a hub 396 mounted on the lower end of the hollow sleeve 319, thesaid support being connected by a plurality of bolts 398 in iixedrelation to said hollow sleeve. The-webs 396, of which four are shown inthe present embodiment are each provided at their lower end with anaperture 400 engaged by the e'nd of a coil spring 402. Each of thesesprings extends at an angle to the vertical axis of the sleeve 319 andhas its opposite. end preferably rigidlysecured to the bottom wall |46of the outer tub 6. Due to the angular disposition of the springs 402with respect to the vertical axis of the sleeve 319 and their connectionto the brake shoeY support 364 and the tub 6, a component of the 'springforce is applied in a vertical direction to the friction material 394.It is also apparent that inasmuch as the springs 402 are equallyloadedand the springs of each pair are disposed in opposite relation toone another, the spring forces ,acting through the hollow sleeve 319will tend to return the tub -to its neutral or vertical position wherethe spring forces are all equal or opposite should said tub tend to moveaway from The friction material, therefore, tends to reduce theamplitude or extent of horizontal movement of the inner tub and absorbssome of the energy applied thereto when the said tub wobbles or moveslaterally under eccentric loadings within the tub during a spinningoperation. l

When the shaft 236 is rotated, as for example, freely to oscillate theagitator, at which time the key`352 is disengaged from the spring clutchelement 346, the outer shaft 200 and the tub assembly connected theretois held against rotation by the friction brake 365. As previouslyindicated, this friction brake mechanism incorporates the brake shoesupport 364 having the brake shoes 406 and 408 pivoted thereto as at 4|0and 4|2, respectively, the said brake shoes being provided with a brakelining, such as 4|4, engageable with the inner cylindrical surface ,ofthe brakedrum 4|6 having a hub 4|8 splined to the outer hollow shaft 200and which has itslower end in abutting relation with the inner race ring20B whereby the same is supported and held in operative position.

The brake shoes 406 and 408 at their opposite ends are Vpivotallyconnected, respectively, through the links 420 and 422 to the crankcollar 424 secured to the lower end of a pin 426 mounted in the brakeshoe support` 364. An operating arm 428 is connected to the upper end ofthe pin 426 whereby the brake shoes, which are normally in engagementwith the brake drum 416, may be moved inwardly and out of suchengagement when the outer shaft 200 is driven by the inner shaft 236through the spring clutch element 346.` A coil spring 430 is interposedbetween the brake shoes 406 and 408 which normally maintains said brakeshoes in frictional engagement with the brake shoe drumV `4|6.

432 to a solenoid 434 connected to a suitable con trol circuit. In thisinstance it is a control cir. cuit for operating the brake during awashing: cycle. The solenoid 434 is normally deenergized while theagitator is. operated during which time the spring 430 maintains thebrake shoes 406 and 408 in frictional engagement with the brake shoedrum to maintain the outer sleeve 200 and the tub and its associatedmechanisms stationary. Mounted on the brake shoe support 364 is a stopelement 436 `for limiting the outward movement of arm 428. `The arm 428is provided with a projection 438 engageable with one leg of the bellcrank lever 356 for moving the bell crank lever about its pivot point358 to maintain the clutch collar 354 in a position whereby the key 352is disengaged from the operating end of the spring clutch element 346.In order to hold the bell crank lever 356 in a position to render thespring clutch mechanism inoperative, the arm 428 has a coil spring 440connected thereto which is anchored at` its other end in the basestructure.

Upon energization of the solenoid 434, the armt The outer end of theVoperating arm 428 is connected through a link.

aussie:

7. 428, is moved thereby in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure'7J ofi the drawings, to move the projection 4&8thereofoutoflengagem-ent with'thei bell crank lever 35Iithus permitting the bellcrank lever 356.to swingiabout its pivot point and to allow the clutchcollar 354i to move down-r wardly with respect to the shaft 200i wherebythe key 352 engages. the spring clutch element 348i From the abovedescription, it is clear` that:

there are two concentric shafts 236 and 200, the

inner one 3"6V ofwhich may be driven inde-A pendently. of the outershaft Z130-for driving any suitable mechanism,.such asa washing agitatoras disclosed in the parent application. Under Vsuch circumstances theAinner sha-ft 2'3-6 bis not operatively connected to the outer hollowshaft because the clutch collar 354 is held in an elevated positionwhereby the key 352 is disengaged from the upper operating endV of thespring clutch element 346. At the same time the outer hollow shaft 200is held against rotation by the brake mechanism 355. However, if it isdesired to rotateV the outer hollow shaft 200 for driving any suitablemechanism, such as a tub for spinning as disclosed in the parentapplication, the braking actionr of the brake mechanism 365 is releasedYas described; andi when the bell crank lever 356V is tripped, the clutchcollar 354 moves downwardly underA the action of gravity to position thekey 3.52; in the path `ofv movement ofthe upper operating. endl of thespring clutch element BASI whereby the latter is expanded to The brakemechanism 3-65 is hel'd.I

frictionally engage the wall of the enlarged recess 348: of the outerhollow shaft Ziil at which time a. driving.y connection is. effectedbetween the shafts 236.A a-ndzt to. rapidly. rotate the outer shaft andany element it isI to drive. When it is desired to: discontinue thedriving connectionbetween theltwoishaftsv 236v and 200', the keyl 352 iscausedStoumove-up -out of engagement with the upperactive end of springclutch element 346 and the brake mechanismi'ik again made effective asdescribed.v

There.' may be'various modications of the inventionand it' ismyIintention to cover all such modificationscoming-within the spirit andscope of Athe i following claims.

ll claiml:v Y' 1.An actuator-for aY clutch element, comprising inner andouter concentric shafts', a spring clutch element having a free endVdisposed between-saidI shafts and adapted to eifect the drivranged asrtopermit rotation ofv said key within the enlargedlportion-ofsaidkeyhole slot whereby thev same may be inserted into and removed fromits operative association with said collar, and means for` moving, said;key away. fromy the free end ofv said springclutchelement.

2. An'actuator'for'a rclutch elementVcomprising inner 'andouterconcentric shafts,Y a; spring clutch relement having aY free enddisposed between said shafts` and adapted toY effect the1drivingconnectionbetween the same, said outer shaft having a keyhole slotextending therethrough adjacent the free endl of said! clutch'element,an outer hollow member concentric with and in spaced relation to saidiouter shaft, a clutch collar mounted for axial movement with respecttoand between said outer shaft and said hollow memberk and beingprovidedwith an opening therethroughhaving oppositely disposed;recesses, a T-shaped keyhaving a portion projecting through said openingand movable in said keyhole slot by said clutch collar into VandV out ofengagement with the free end of said spring clutchelement and havinganother portion mountedv in said recesses, andi stopmeans normallylimiting movement of said key to-prevent thel same entering the en-Ylarged portion of said keyhole slot, said hollow member being providedwith an opening adaptedy to be disposed in alignment with the enlargedportion of said keyhole'slot, said-recesses being so disposed andarranged asto permit rotation of said key within the enlarged portion ofsaid slot whereby thesame may be inserted into andremoved from itsoperative association with said collar through saidopening in saidhollow member.

3; Anactuator for a clutch element, comprising inner and outerconcentric vertical shafts, a spring clutch element having a free enddisposed bet-'Ween said' shafts and adapted to effect theV drivingconnection between the same, said' outer shaft having a keyhole slotextending therethrough adjacent the free end of said clutch element, anouter hollowV member concentric with and in spaced relation' to saidvertical outer shaft and having an opening therein, a gravity responsiveclutch collar` mountedv for axial movement with' respectY to and betweensaid outer shaft and said hollow member and being provided with anopening therethrough between oppositely dis.- posed recesses', aT-shaped key having a portion projecting through said last mentionedopening and vertically movable in said key-hole slot into and out ofengagement with the free end of said spring clutchy element uponmovementofv said clutchv collar andv having its -crossed portion mountedinrsaid recesses, said recesses being so disposed and arranged as topermit rotation of s'aidkey within the enlarged'portion. of saidkeyhole'sl-ot whereby the same may beinserted and removedfrom itsoperative associationfwth said collar through the opening in said hollowmember,` stop means carried by said hollow member normally limiting thevertical upwardmovement of'saidikey to prevent the same entering theenlarged portion ofY saidkey-hole slot, and means carried by said hollowmember and acting on said gravity responsive-collar for elevatingsaid'key vertically away "from the` free end of said spring clutchelement. v Y

4; An actuator for a clutch element, comprismg' inner and outerconcentric shafts, a spring clutch elementV having a freey enddisposedbetween said vshafts and adapted to effect the driving connectionbetween the same, said outer shaft havinga keyhole slotextendingtherethrough adjacent' theffree end of said clutch element; a clutchcollar mounted foraxial movement with respect to said free. end andprovided with an openingk therethrough between oppositely disposedrecesses, .and a removable key having oppositely'disposedpartsfengageable in said recesses and a projecting portion extendingthrough the slot in said outer shaft for engaging the free end of saidclutch spring upon movement of said collar in one direction, said keybeing rotatable to remove said projecting portions from said recesseswhereby the same may be inserted into and removed from its operativeassociation with said collar.

5. An actuator for a clutch element, comprising inner and outerconcentric shafts, a spring clutch element having a free endk disposedbetween said shafts and adapted to eiect the driving connection betweenthe same, said outer shaft having a keyhole slot extending therethroughadjacent the free end of said clutch element, -a

Vclutch collar mounted for axial movement with respect to said free endand provided with a recess, anda removable key having a projectingportion engageable in said recess and another projecting portionextending through the slot in said outer shaft for engaging the `freeend of said spring clutch element upon movement of said collar in onedirection, said key being rotatable with respect to said collar toremove said rst mentioned projecting portion from said recess wherebythe same may be inserted and removed from its operative association withsaid collar.

6. A clutch actuator comprising relatively rotatable inner and outervertical concentric shafts, a spring clutch element disposed betweensaid shafts, said spring clutch having its lower end secured to saidinner shaft and an upper free 10 end adapted to eiect a drivingconnection between `said shafts, said outer shaft having a slotextending therethrough adjacent the free end of said spring clutchelement, a gravity responsive concentric collar loosely surrounding saidouter shaft, a key carried by said collar aand projecting through saidslot for engaging said free end to energize said clutch element, amovable'. abutment for elevating said collar and key vertically7 againstthe force of gravity out of engagement with the free end of said clutchelement, and means for actuating said movable abutment to permit saidgravity responsive collar fand key to move downwardly solely under theinfluence of gravity into engagement with the free end of said springclutch element to expand theV same into engagement with said outershaft.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,704,062 Starkey Mar. 5, 1929 1,714,496 Chilton May 28, 19292,235,266 Starkey Mar. 18, 1941 2,257,987 Starkey Oct. 7, 1941 2,270,507Clark Janl 20, 1942 2,273,334 Shakespeare Feb. 17, 1942 2,446,064 SmithJuly 27, 1948 2,548,732 Lippold Apr. 10, 1951

